Unique Hotel for Offshore Workers Launched

A unique hotel providing specialist, affordable hotel accommodation for offshore workers is opening its doors on North Tyneside in the UK.

The £1million two-storey hotel, which has been developed by leading offshore training provider AIS, is located alongside the company’s existing 150,000 sq ft world-class offshore training village on the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate in North Tyneside.  

Believed to be the very first project of its kind in the world, the new purpose-built hotel called ‘The Hotel at AIS’ offers high-quality, low-cost accommodation from just £25.20 per night for training delegates. It initially provides accommodation for up to 33 people, with a second phase planned to add another 12 rooms in the next 12 months. The hotel is styled to simulate offshore life and offers Wi-Fi, en-suite facilities, a gym and break out areas for relaxing and socializing.

Guests at the hotel also have access to AIS Training’s highly rated restaurant and branded bus for pick-ups from Newcastle airport and train station and to travel to local amenities.

Managing director of AIS, Paul Stonebanks said: “We currently train more than six thousand delegates every year in mandatory and optional industry-approved qualifications and competencies for the booming offshore energy market. Many of these offshore workers live outside the region and require accommodation and, although there are lots of great local hotels, we recognized that a more affordable option was necessary for some of these delegates.

“We’ve already invested millions of pounds in creating a world-class, state-of-the-art training complex, which provides skills training for every offshore career path. Our bespoke facilities are extremely realistic and highly technological, ensuring delegates learn in a safe and controlled environment - but one that feels real. It seemed a natural extension to offer our delegates a low-cost accommodation option, which also mirrors real offshore life, to complement and enrich the overall training experience. Staying in ‘The Hotel at AIS’ will start to feel like you’re actually offshore – combined with our realistic skills and competency training; this will result in a truly immersive experience.”

This project is the latest in a very exciting and successful year for AIS. The company has just launched a brand new £2.5million survival center to train workers from the offshore oil and gas, wind and maritime sectors how to cope in the event of an emergency. AIS Training now offers one of the largest and most comprehensive portfolios of more than 80 specialist industry-approved courses for the offshore, wind, maritime and business-to-business sectors.